The Mel Robbins Podcast

The Truth About ADHD in Adults: Harvard’s Dr. Chris Palmer Explains the Research

Jan 25, 2024

Dr. Chris Palmer, a renowned psychiatrist at Harvard’s McLean Hospital and founder of the Metabolic & Mental Health Program, dives deep into ADHD in adults. He discusses what ADHD truly is and reveals simple yet often overlooked signs. Listeners learn about the impact of diet and exercise on brain health and how these can help mitigate symptoms. Dr. Palmer challenges traditional views on medication, advocating a holistic approach including lifestyle changes. He emphasizes the potential for individuals with ADHD and autism to enhance their cognitive functioning through targeted interventions.

01:07:12

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Episode guests

Chris Palmer MD

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Quick takeaways

Optimizing nutrition and making healthier lifestyle choices can potentially reduce reliance on medication for individuals with ADHD.

Addressing food sensitivities through elimination diets can help alleviate ADHD symptoms by reducing inflammation in the gut.

Comprehensive lifestyle strategies, including diet, exercise, sleep, stress reduction, and substance reduction, can improve various neurodivergent conditions and lead to better brain function and quality of life.

Deep dives

The Role of Diet and Lifestyle in Managing ADHD

Dr. Chris Palmer, a Harvard psychiatrist, discusses the importance of diet and lifestyle in managing ADHD. He emphasizes the impact of nutrition, exercise, and sleep on brain metabolism and functioning. He suggests that individuals with ADHD should assess their diet and ensure that they are getting adequate nutrition, vitamins, minerals, and protein. He also mentions the potential benefits of elimination diets to identify and address food sensitivities that may contribute to ADHD symptoms.

Elimination Diet for ADHD

01:34

Understanding the Differences in ADHD Symptoms between Boys and Girls

02:26

Understanding the Functioning of the ADHD Brain

03:23

Rethinking ADHD Treatment: Beyond Stimulants

04:06

Intro

2min

Understanding ADHD: A Personal and Scientific Journey

10min

Understanding ADHD: Gender Differences and Brain Dynamics

18min

Rethinking ADHD: A Holistic Approach

6min

Enhancing Lives: ADHD and Autism through Metabolic Interventions

13min

Navigating ADHD: Strategies and Solutions

6min

The Impact of Lifestyle on ADHD and Mental Health

16min

Sharing Insights for Positive Change

4min

Have a hard time staying focused?

Do you start projects and never finish them? Are you frustrated with your hyperactive brain?

Your brain simply needs help, and today you’re going to learn exactly what to do about it, thanks to the expert advice of today’s guest Dr. Chris Palmer.

Dr. Palmer is a psychiatrist who has practiced at Harvard’s McLean Hospital, the #1 psychiatric hospital in the nation, for almost 30 years. He is also the Founder and Director of the recently launched Metabolic & Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital.

In this episode, you’ll also learn:

What ADHD really is.
The simple (and sneaky) signs of ADHD.
What your doctor will be looking for to diagnose your ADHD.
What ADHD meds actually do in the brain.
How a person on the autism spectrum could improve their symptoms.
What to look at before jumping to medication.
How an elimination diet works and why you should try it.
The specific types of exercise your brain needs to get you out of a funk.
What you need to stop doing to make your brain healthier.

To listen to Dr. Palmer's first appearance on The Mel Robbins Podcast, check out the episode right before this one, Reset Your Mental Health: The Diet & Nutrition Protocol from Renowned Harvard MD

For more resources, including links to Dr. Palmer's work, studies, and tips to implement everything you learn, click here for the podcast resources page.

Listen to the episode about Mel’s deeply personal story of her own diagnosis of ADHD: 6 Surprising Signs of Adult ADHD

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The Mel Robbins Podcast

The Truth About ADHD in Adults: Harvard’s Dr. Chris Palmer Explains the Research

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Role of Diet and Lifestyle in Managing ADHD

Metabolic Approach to ADHD Treatment

The Gut-Brain Connection and ADHD

Improving Brain Metabolism to Address ADHD

The Benefits of Lifestyle Changes for Neurodivergent Conditions

Elimination Diet for ADHD

Understanding the Differences in ADHD Symptoms between Boys and Girls

Understanding the Functioning of the ADHD Brain

Rethinking ADHD Treatment: Beyond Stimulants

Get the Snipd
podcast app

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

Save any
moment

Share
& Export

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

The Mel Robbins Podcast

The Truth About ADHD in Adults: Harvard’s Dr. Chris Palmer Explains the Research

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Role of Diet and Lifestyle in Managing ADHD

Metabolic Approach to ADHD Treatment

The Gut-Brain Connection and ADHD

Improving Brain Metabolism to Address ADHD

The Benefits of Lifestyle Changes for Neurodivergent Conditions

Elimination Diet for ADHD

Understanding the Differences in ADHD Symptoms between Boys and Girls

Understanding the Functioning of the ADHD Brain

Rethinking ADHD Treatment: Beyond Stimulants

Get the Snipdpodcast app

AI-poweredpodcast player

Discoverhighlights

Save anymoment

Share& Export

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Discoverhighlights

Get the Snipd
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